Health Equity

ADA Community Ambassador Toolkit

Become an ADA Community Ambassador and make a difference in your communities with this hub of resources. 

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The Community Ambassador Toolkit serves as a hub of accessible resources for individuals interested in bringing diabetes information and programming directly to their civic and social groups, faith organizations, community-based organizations, and other groups. It contains a collection of resources for promoting diabetes awareness and education, supporting diabetes advocacy efforts, participating in grassroots fundraising, and much more. Explore the resources available for you to bring programming to your community today! 

Get Started 

Diabetes affects more than 38 million children and adults in the United States. That’s 1 in 10 people. You can help your community fight this epidemic through education, awareness, and advocacy. Individuals and organizations interested in becoming Community Ambassadors are encouraged to use the resources and information provided in this toolkit to assist them in joining the fight to end diabetes. 

Share your information below to stay in touch.

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Collegiate Ambassador Impact Report

The ADA Collegiate Ambassador Program brings student-activated platforms to college campuses to promote health literacy and raise awareness about diabetes in a socially and culturally relevant way.

Learn about our impact on college campuses in 2023–2024.

 

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Community Involvement

Community Pop-up Stations Initiative

Your pop-up station will bring the ADA’s fight against diabetes to your community through education and spreading awareness. Below are free resources to help you get started.

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Planning an Event

First step in planning an event is to determine the focus of your event. Explore programing ideas below in advocacy, food and nutrition, and health and wellness.

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Eating well with diabetes doesn't mean giving up favorite foods, it's about finding the balance between keeping flavor and incorporating the nutrients needed to live well with diabetes. 

Explore resources and information about healthy food and nutrition for people with diabetes.

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Whether newly diagnosed, caring for someone with diabetes, a health care provider trying to help the people you see thrive, or someone seeking general knowledge about diabetes, we have resources on the journey to health and wellness.

Explore resources and information about living a healthy life with diabetes.

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Through advocacy, we fight for people with diabetes. We fight for their right to affordable medications and technology, their right to be treated fairly at work and school, their right to quality health care, and so much more.

Explore issues in our advocacy platform and take action.

Fundraising

A “Do-It-Yourself” Fundraiser is any fundraising activity hosted by an individual or group to support the mission of the American Diabetes Association®. A DIY fundraiser can be anything—from game night to a yard sale to an athletic event or anything in between; fundraising ideas are as unique as the individual or group who establishes them!  

Here are steps to start a successful fundraising campaign:

Do something you already love or challenge yourself by trying something new. We provide you with easy, online fundraising tools to make you a fundraising pro.

  • Game night
  • Running
  • Proceeds from a yard sale
  • Social media campaign

Select a day that works for you and your participants. Make a solid plan and make sure it doesn’t compete with other major events happening in your area.

Create and customize your fundraising page to showcase your event and set your fundraising goal.

Use the outreach tools to recruit participants and support via email, social media, and more.

Track your progress and record any expenses associated with your event. Review and reach out to potential funding sources in your community and social network.

 

Advocacy Flyers and Posters for Your Event

Download and print these resources to spread awareness and provide education about diabetes at your community events. 

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Advocacy

Become an Advocate

We need everyone to join us!

Download Poster
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Advocacy

Become an HCP Advocate

Legislators need to hear from health care providers.

Download Poster
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Advocacy

Heath Care Professional Legal Network

Join the ADA’s HCP legal advocacy network.

Download Poster
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Advocacy

Fight Discrimination

Help people with diabetes fight discrimination.

Download Flyer
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Advocacy

Continuous Glucose Monitors

ADA is a leader in advocating for access to technology for people with diabetes.

Download Banner
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Advocacy

Amputation Prevention Alliance

Disrupt the curve of amputations among people with diabetes.

Download Banner
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Advocacy

Obesity Treatment

Join the fight for obesity treatment access.

Download Poster

Communication Tips

Use these communication tips to help your community and advance the fight to end diabetes.

First educate yourself on diabetes. Then educate your community

Host informal sessions with your friends, family, or community.

Always refer individuals to a health care professional for diagnosis, treatment, or specific health information. Never guess or exaggerate facts and speak plainly. Talking about health can be intimidating. Try your best to create a safe space for judgment-free conversation.

Use the resources provided in this toolkit or find more at diabetes.org and diabetesfoodhub.org.

For questions and support, contact the ADA Center for Information at 1-800-DIABETES (342-2382) or email askada@diabetes.org.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated

This toolkit was developed with the strategic thought partnership of members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated as a way to create widespread opportunity for community members to champion work in support of the mission of the American Diabetes Association®.

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